Charlotte NC vs Madison WI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Madison
275,568
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Madison
11.6%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 275,568 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 11.6% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 34.1% | 7.1% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 9.3% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Madison
$76,983
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Madison
$48,557
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $76,983 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $48,557 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,837 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 16.2% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $429,253 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 46.6% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Madison
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Madison
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 32.7% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.5% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 20.8% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Charlotte +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Charlotte +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charlotte + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while charlotte offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,070. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charlotte. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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